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Posted on Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 11:26 p.m.

Superior Township voters approve 3 millages

By Katrease Stafford

Superior Township residents voted to approve all three millages that were put before them on the Aug. 7 ballot.

With all of the votes tallied, 78.6 percent of voters voted in favor of the law enforcement millage, with 21.37 percent voting against it; 78 percent voted to approve the fire millage compared with 21 against it.

The vote for the township’ millage to defend the master plan and zoning ordinance was more closely contested with 59.4 percent of voters approving it and 40.5 percent against it.

Two millages will provide additional funds for fire and law enforcement and the third will strengthen the township’s master plan and zoning ordinance.

Township Supervisor William McFarlane previously said he expected voters to vote in favor of the three millages.

Two millages on the ballot, fire and law enforcement, were set to expire this year and were up for renewals that will be levied for three years from 2012 through 2014.

This year, the fire millage is for 3 mills, $3 per $1,000 of taxable value, and will be levied for three years for the purpose of providing additional revenue for fire protection and prevention.

In the first year the fire millage is levied, it is estimated $1,655,352 will be received.
McFarlane said the millage was necessary in order for the fire department to continue with the same level of operations.

Although the township has its own fire services, it also collaborates with Ann Arbor Township to provide services to both areas. Fourteen firefighters work together to cover the areas.

The previous fire millage was voted on in 2008 with 77 percent—1,068 voters— being in favor of it. In that same election, 75 percent voted in favor of the law enforcement millage.

The township asked voters to renew the law millage at 2.25 mills, or $2.25 per $1,000 of taxable value and levied for three years. The millage is expected to raise an estimated $1,241,514 in the first year.

McFarlane said the township contracts its police services through the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office and the millage would allow them to continue to do so. Ten deputies work in the township.

The master plan and zoning ordinance defense millage will levy .25 mills, or .25 cents per $1,000 of taxable value and will raise an estimated $137,945.